Yesterday we were too thrilled to report that our girl Kerry Washington snagged an Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category. Ironically, Kerry also returned to the set of Scandal yesterday, something that she said she was very eager to do, so that she could thank her co-stars and the show’s crew for always being in the trenches with her.

“I just feel more indebted to them than ever before. I’m really excited that I get to see them and thank them today, because there’s no way you can pull off playing a character like Olivia on a show that spans 22 episodes without having real gladiators in the trenches with you,” the 36-year-old actress told CBS News.

A newly married Kerry went on to gush about how excited she feels to live in a time when such a “diverse” show is accepted.

“I feel really excited and proud to live in a world where a show that embodies so much diversity on so many levels — because our show is so diverse with regard to race and ethnicity and gender and sexual orientation — that a show that really celebrates inclusivity is able to be such a success both in the U.S. and overseas. That’s something that I’m really proud to be a part of, and I’m proud to be a citizen in a world where that’s possible.”

The Bronx native also admitted that in addition to being reunited with the cast, she was very eager to read the first script of the new season.

“I’m really excited to read the script. It’s totally cold reading, of course. So we’re all dying inside with anticipation. Just, like, who will be at the table read? Will Scott Foley [who was made a series regular] be at the table read, or will he not be at the table read because his character is in the hole for the whole first episode? Will Joe Morton be at the table read as my dad, or no? Where do we start? We have no clue. So that’s super exciting. And also for me, I’m just so excited that I get to see everybody and hug everybody and thank everybody today, because to me, this nomination is really a reflection of this cast, how we inspire each other and how we elevate each other,” she told Entertainment Weekly.

And in case you’re wondering what she was up to when she found out about the nomination, she sais she was in the airport preparing to board a flight when she received the call from her publicist!

“I was getting on a plane to fly back to LA from northern California. I was at the airport, and it was that wonderful thing — you know how you’re always a little preoccupied at the airport? You’re trying to get the right food to take on the flight with you. I had my dog with me, and I had to walk her, and go through security. [Laughs] My hands were full, and it was really nice to be so distracted. And then my phone rang and I saw that it was my publicist/friend Michelle, and I was like, Oh, oh, yeah. Whoa. I wonder what she’s calling to say.”

As to be expected, EW also asked about Kerry’s recent elopement, but in true Olivia Pope fashion, she declined to answer.

“[Laughs] I thank you for your congratulations, and that is where that conversation will end. [Laughs]”